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The Academy of American Poets is the largest membership-based nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting American poets. For over three generations, the Academy has connected millions of people to great poetry through programs such as National Poetry Month, the largest literary celebration in the world; Poets.org, the Academy’s popular website; American Poets, a biannual literary journal; and an annual series of poetry readings and special events. Since its founding, the Academy has awarded more money to poets than any other organization.

Reading Rainbow: "My America, A Poetry Atlas of the U.S."

Posted

July 26, 2004

Appearing on PBS channels since 1983, Reading Rainbow is a children’s video magazine program hosted by Levar Burton. The program is designed to inspire children to read through a variety of themed segments and book reviews by children. The episode "My America, A Poetry Atlas of the U. S." first aired in 2001. Written by Susan Kim and directed by Ed Wiseman, the episode celebrates the geographical diversity and beauty of America through poetry.

PBS maintains a website for Reading Rainbow that features literacy resources for teachers and families. The "My America, A Poetry Atlas of the U. S." episode is available on VHS and DVD, and the content has also been turned into a companion book of the same name. The book contains fifty-one poems by forty poets. The poems are grouped by region and some were commissioned specifically for the book. Langston Hughes, Carl Sandburg, Nikki Giovanni, David McCord, X. J. Kennedy, and Myra Cohn Livingston are among the poets featured in this collection.